The goal of this essay is to examine feminist contributions to international relations theory in the context of wartime rape.
In the first part of this essay, the author will discuss what feminist IR theory can be and what it means in this piece. In order to evaluate feminist contributions, it is necessary to lay out some groundwork. Therefore she will then go on to outline the gendered violence that happened during the Bosnian war and will also explain some of the moral-theory that dominates certain IR theories, because questions of humanity are questions of morals.
Concluding this essay, the author take a look at international legislature concerning this topic, seeing how surprisingly enough, it is very close to some schools of IR theory specifically Realism. Before doing so, she will then put feminist IR theory in relation to mainstream IR theory against the background of wartime rape in Bosnia, although she touches upon this throughout this piece.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
FEMINIST IR THEORY
GENDERED VIOLENCE DURING THE BOSNIAN WAR
IR THEORY AND MORALITY IN THE CONTEXT OF MASS RAPES
INTERNATIONAL LAW AND MASS RAPE
FEMINIST IR IN RELATION TO MAINSTREAM IR
CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this essay is to analyze the contributions of feminist International Relations (IR) theory to the understanding of wartime rape, with a specific focus on the Bosnian conflict. The work seeks to investigate how feminist perspectives challenge and refine mainstream IR theories, particularly regarding morality, state security, and the historical marginalization of gendered experiences in international law.
- Theoretical evaluation of feminist approaches within International Relations.
- Analysis of gendered violence and genocidal intent during the Bosnian War.
- Examination of the intersection between moral theory, state security, and mass rape.
- Critical review of international legal frameworks concerning sexual violence as a war crime.
- Assessment of the ongoing tension and potential integration between feminist and mainstream IR theories.
Excerpt from the Book
Gendered violence during the Bosnian war
Although this essay’s focus is IR-theory revolving around the subject of wartime mass rape and implications thereof, I think it is necessary for a better understanding to give a small overview of the example of Bosnia, which I will do in the following section.
The genocidal mass rapes in Bosnia occurred during the Bosnian war (sometimes referred to as a Yugoslav war) between 1992 and 1995 during which time approximately 20,000 muslim, Bosnian women were sexually assaulted and/or tortured by Serbian soldiers. What made this case of wartime mass rape stand out, was the undeniable genocidal intention behind it. The perpetrators were not single, marauding soldiers but rather executing a coordinated attack, using rape as a weapon of war, on the female gender and Bosnian race, targeting women’s bodies and reproducing abilities. (Salzman, 1998)
Bosnian women were detained in concentration camps and repeatedly raped over days or until pregnant from a Serbian. They were sold as sex slaves, forced into unpaid labour and tortured. There are accounts of Serbian soldiers presenting documents „ordering“ them to rape Bosnian women to „keep up moral“. Evidence like this suggests that this mass rape was an organized strategy employed by Serbian leaders to accomplish their goal of an ethnically homogenous Serbia, in other words, genocide (ten Bensel and Sample, 2014).
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: The author outlines the scope of the essay, which examines feminist contributions to IR theory in the context of wartime rape, setting the groundwork for the subsequent analysis of morality, international law, and conflict.
FEMINIST IR THEORY: This chapter defines the multifaceted nature of feminist IR, contrasting various branches like liberal and standpoint feminism and arguing for the necessity of a gender-sensitive lens to understand state behavior.
GENDERED VIOLENCE DURING THE BOSNIAN WAR: This section provides a historical overview of the mass rapes in Bosnia, illustrating how sexual violence was utilized as a deliberate strategic tool to achieve ethnic cleansing.
IR THEORY AND MORALITY IN THE CONTEXT OF MASS RAPES: The chapter explores the moral contradictions within classical realism, which tends to normalize wartime rape as a domestic issue, and contrasts this with the broader human security concerns of liberal internationalism.
INTERNATIONAL LAW AND MASS RAPE: An examination of the evolution of international legal frameworks, highlighting how feminist advocacy contributed to the recognition of sexual violence as a crime against humanity.
FEMINIST IR IN RELATION TO MAINSTREAM IR: The author discusses the historical exclusion of gender from IR studies and the subsequent efforts by feminists to challenge ontological biases in the field.
CONCLUSION: The essay concludes that feminist theory serves as an essential framework for identifying normative biases in mainstream IR and advocating for the protection of women in conflict zones.
Keywords
Feminist IR Theory, Wartime Rape, Bosnian War, Gendered Violence, International Law, Realism, Liberalism, Human Rights, Ethnic Cleansing, Standpoint Feminism, Security, Sexual Violence, Conflict, Global Politics, Patriarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
This essay explores the intersection of feminist International Relations theory and the reality of mass rape during wartime, using the Bosnian conflict as a primary case study.
Which thematic areas are central to this analysis?
The central themes include the gendered nature of state security, the historical silence of mainstream IR regarding women's experiences, and the evolving moral and legal status of sexual violence in war.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The objective is to evaluate how feminist theory provides critical insights into international relations and helps reform the analysis of global conflicts by moving women's experiences to the forefront.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a qualitative, theoretical analysis, evaluating literature and legal developments from a feminist standpoint to challenge established realist and mainstream IR frameworks.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers the theoretical foundations of feminist IR, a case study on the Bosnian war, an analysis of morality within realism, the development of international law concerning rape, and the ongoing dialogue between feminist and mainstream IR scholars.
What are the key terms that define this work?
Key terms include feminist IR theory, wartime rape, genocide, state security, and gendered violence, reflecting the work's critical engagement with international political structures.
How does the author characterize the role of the state in feminist IR theory?
The author highlights standpoint feminism's critique of the state as an inherently masculine construct, arguing that classical realism views the state as an abstract block, whereas feminist theory examines its impact on women.
What is the significance of the 2008 UN Security Council Resolution 1820 discussed in the text?
The resolution is highlighted as a critical turning point where sexual violence was formally recognized as a potential war crime or act of genocide, signaling an incorporation of feminist concerns into mainstream international policy.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Gerhild Grabitzer (Autor:in), 2019, Feminist International Relations and Wartime Rape. Feminist Writings´ Contribution to Women´s Rights, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/495457
